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Spotify expands audiobooks access to family plan members in the US for the firsttime
Spotify has launched the Audiobooks+ plan in the U.S., allowing family plan members to access 15 hours of audiobooks monthly for $11.99. This initiative comes after previous restrictions faced by household members and follows a period of user growth despite recent revenue challenges. The subscription aims to increase engagement and revenue from existing users amidst a competitive streaming landscape.
Key points
- Spotify expands audiobook access to family plan members in the U.S. for the first time.
- The new Audiobooks+ plan costs $11.99/month and adds 15 hours of audiobook listening.
- Previously, only the main account holder had access to audiobooks on family plans.
- The expansion follows a tough quarter for Spotify, missing revenue expectations.
- User growth remains strong with a reported 11% increase in active users and 12% increase in paid subscribers.
- Audiobook listening hours have increased by over 35% year-over-year due to increased interest.
Why it matters
- This launch aligns with the 2025 trend of personalized subscription services in the entertainment industry.
- Increased competition in audiobook services reflects the growing demand, similar to the rise of streaming platforms in the past decade.
- Spotify's adaptation to user needs echoes strategies seen in other streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.
Spotify's launch of Audiobooks+ is a strategic response to user demand and aims to boost revenue in a competitive market, highlighting the increasing significance of audiobooks in digital media consumption.